What is Problematic Use of the Internet?

Using the internet is normal – everyone does it! But sometimes the balance can tip, and we can find ourselves spending too much time online. Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) happens when someone spends a lot of time online, and this has a negative effect on their daily life. 

Problematic use of the Internet includes things like: 

  • Excessive Gaming: Video games can be fun and even beneficial in moderation, but if they start interfering with daily responsibilities, relationships, or health, it might be a sign of problematic use.

  • Compulsive Browsing: Spending hours scrolling through social media or websites without realising how much time has passed. Some young people regularly scroll through TikTok late at night, often for hours, but if this becomes something we can’t live without, then it is problematic.

  • Cyberchondria: Looking up health information online can be helpful, but excessive searching can lead to unnecessary worry or confusion about symptoms. It’s always best to check concerns with a healthcare professional.

The key thing is to remember these activities can become problematic when the need to be online feels uncontrollable. Using the internet like this can affect your mood, sleep and relationships. It’s important to use the internet in a balanced way to avoid these issues. But we know it can be easier said than done – that’s why at the BootStRaP study, we are trying to develop tools to help young people use the internet in a healthier way.

Too Much Screen Time

“I missed out on spending time with my friends and now I miss speaking to them”.

Imagine you have a favourite activity, and you do it all day long, every day. After a while, you start to get physically and psychologically tired, and you don’t have time to do other things you enjoy. Spending too much time on the internet can make you miss out on other fun activities like going outside, reading, or hanging out with family and friends.

Ignoring Responsibilities

I am doing really badly at school because I am always too busy gaming to do homework.

Think about your homework or chores. If you spend all your time online, you might rush through your homework or forget to do your chores. This can lead to trouble at school or home. It’s like when you are supposed to clean your room but instead, spend all day watching cartoons.

Feeling Sad or Lonely

“I feel so isolated from everyone now”.

If online activities start replacing meeting friends in person, it might contribute to feelings of loneliness. It’s like if you were at a party but stayed in a corner by yourself instead of spending time with everyone else.

Warning Signs

Don’t worry, though, because if you are able to spot the signs early, then internet use doesn’t have to be a problem. Here are some warning signs:

Spending lots of time on social media or gaming

Neglecting personal hygiene, schoolwork, or chores

Feeling anxious or upset when you’re not online

Feeling out of control with the time you spend online

What is BootStRaP doing to help?

BootStRaP is working to support young people by:

  • Finding ways to spot when someone’s internet use might be getting out of control, and figuring out who might be at risk of being harmed by it.
  • Creating personalised tools and support to help people learn how to use the internet in a safer, healthier way—before it becomes a problem.